So whose fault is Northern Rock? Private sector businessmen who borrowed too much cash? The regulators, who allowed it to happen? Or the government, which has taken months to decide what to do – and are now having to pick up the bill.

In the end, taxpayers will have to pay some of the cost – although how much no one knows. That has encouraged a debate that could shape the next election: should opposition parties match Labour's spending plans or promise tax cuts instead?

And back to Cuba. Was Castro just an out-of-date icon? Or did he show the world that it is possible to stand up to America and survive?

Joining me to discuss all this are three people who know what money can do to politics.

We have the Lib Dem shadow chancellor and deputy leader, Vince Cable. Joining him is the Guardian's Westminster correspondent, David Hencke. And making her debut on Politics Weekly, the Guardian's Allegra Stratton.